U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Singapore

United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Singapore, 5 June 2002, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d7abc.html [accessed 2 August 2015]

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Singapore (Tier 2)

Singapore is a destination country for women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation, primarily from Thailand, the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

The Government of Singapore does not yet fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. There is no omnibus law against trafficking in persons; however, such acts are punishable under laws which prohibit the trafficking of women or girls into the country for purposes of prostitution, unlawful custody or control of children, wrongful confinement, and trafficking of illegal migrants. Profiting from prostitution by other persons violates the law, and use of fraud or coercion to induce women into prostitution is illegal. In practice, the authorities usually tolerate prostitution, which largely involves foreign women, some of whom may be trafficked. The Ministry of Manpower investigates complaints by foreign workers, and prevents employers from terminating workers while an investigation is ongoing. The Ministry is not known to have received complaints of trafficking in persons for labor purposes. There is no evidence that government officials are complicit in trafficking. Immigration laws are strictly enforced, which sharply reduces the flow of persons potentially vulnerable to trafficking, and adds to the legal jeopardy faced by would-be traffickers. In terms of victim protection, the government provides no assistance, and there are no NGOs that assist trafficking victims. In cases involving employer abuse of domestic workers, victims who testify remain in the country and are permitted to work; however, there are credible reports that at least some victims experience difficulty in getting permission to work for new employers. On the prevention side, there is no specific campaign to combat or prevent the use of fraud or coercion to recruit foreign women prostitutes. The government participates in regional initiatives against transnational crime, which include enhanced efforts against trafficking in persons.